TankBud

Melon barb

Haludaria fasciata

Also known as Red Panda Barb

FreshwaterFish

Melon barb (Haludaria fasciata)
Haplochromis · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
2.8 in
7 cm
Minimum tank
40 gal
150 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg scatterer · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cyprinidae
Origin
India

Overview

The melon barb is a peaceful, colorful schooling barb for the middle of a calm community tank. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The melon barb is also sold as the red panda barb, and both names come from the color males show in breeding condition. Its species name, fasciata, refers to the bold dark bands that cross its colorful body.

Caring for the melon barb

Keep melon barbs in a group of at least six to eight in a tank of 40 gal (150 L) or larger. A group that size keeps them settled and encourages the males to show their best color. Add driftwood and leaf litter, with planted areas broken by open swimming space.

They do well in warm water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Slightly soft, tea stained water, a dark substrate and gentle, subdued lighting all deepen their red tones. Feed a varied diet of flake, small pellets, frozen foods and some vegetable matter or algae.

Melon barbs are peaceful and swim mostly in the middle of the tank. They mix well with other calm fish of a similar size, though a small, under grouped bunch can turn to nipping fins.

Breeding males take on a warm melon to orange red body crossed by several dark vertical bars, while females stay plainer. Melon barbs scatter their eggs and do not guard them, and they eat their own eggs. They can be bred in a dedicated tank with moderate effort.

Good to know

Haludaria fasciata belongs to the family Cyprinidae. It was long known as Puntius fasciatus before it moved into the genus Haludaria.

In the wild

The melon barb comes from the streams and rivers of the Western Ghats in southwestern India. These include shaded, forested waters that run clear and soft.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The melon barb is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a melon barb need?

A melon barb needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a melon barb need?

A melon barb is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a melon barb eat?

A melon barb eats a varied diet of flake, small pellets and frozen foods, along with some vegetable matter or algae.

How big does a melon barb get?

An adult melon barb reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).

Does a melon barb need a group?

Yes. A melon barb is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How can you tell a male melon barb from a female?

Males in breeding condition turn a warm melon to orange red, crossed by several dark vertical bars. Females stay plainer.

How does a melon barb breed?

Melon barbs scatter their eggs, leave them unguarded and will eat them. They can be bred in a dedicated tank with moderate effort.

Related species